Most of the trails in the Town of Breckenridge trail system are non-motorized; however, the Golden Horseshoe, just east of Town, contains numerous motorized double-tracks and some motorized singletracks. The Golden Horseshoe area is largely managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge. All trails are closed unless signed open. Please travel on open system routes only. 

Locally, B-Line and Barney Flow Trails are designated downhill-traffic only trails. Those trails are purpose-built for mountain bikes traveling downhill. All other trails on the system are open to two-way (uphill and downhill) traffic. 

Collecting and removing artifacts or natural features (including gold) from the Town or County open space lands is prohibited. This regulation is enforced to prevent the loss of our natural and historical heritage. Please, take only pictures and leave only footprints.

The Town has over 120 access posts located throughout town, providing public trail access from downtown to the extensive backcountry trail system. Popular local trailheads include Carter Park (300 South High Street), in French Gulch (0562 French Gulch Road), on Tiger Road (3000 Tiger Road), by the Stephen C. West Ice Arena (189 Boreas Pass Road) and in many other locations. 

There are many ways to learn more and get involved with the Town’s Open Space program, including: accessing the Town website, contacting town staff (websiteopenspace@townofbreckenridge.com), volunteering for a Friends of Breckenridge Trails event, attending monthly BOSAC meetings, and liking the Friends of Breckenridge Trails on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can email websiteopenspace@townofbreckenridge.com or call 970-453-3160 to report trail maintenance issues. 

The Town of Breckenridge maintains a seasonal trail conditions report (spring and fall). Once per week, or more often as needed, a spreadsheet is updated outlining trails that are dry, muddy, snowy, and open or closed. This tool allows trail users to educate themselves before using the trail system. Sound judgment is still needed so that users turn around and avoid muddy trails. 

The Town of Breckenridge, together with Summit County, manages over 50 miles of singletrack trail in the greater Breckenridge area. Those trails connect to many additional miles of U.S. Forest Service-managed singletrack interspersed with various historical cart paths, burro trails, and double tracks. The total trail network length in the Upper Blue River basin in Summit County is over 250 miles. 

Camping is prohibited on Town or County open space lands but is allowed on the White River National Forest with a two-week maximum. Popular camping areas can be found along Tiger Road and on the North Fork of the Swan River. It is the camper’s responsibility to understand property boundaries to avoid being ticketed for illegal camping. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Dillon Ranger District for information on local National Forest camping options. 

Locally, the recpath is a good place for beginner trail users because it is asphalt and relatively flat. For dirt trails, the River Trail, B&B Trail and the Wirepatch Trail offer less-difficult trail access for beginners, and the French Creek, F&D Placer and Reservoir Trails provide a more stable, compacted crusher fine trail surface. The Breckenridge and Summit County Hiking and Biking Trail map also highlights various trails that are labeled “easiest”. 

The Town of Breckenridge is located at 9,600 feet in elevation and many local trails climb to above 11,000 or 12,000 feet in elevation, which can be challenging for any trail users. There are also some trails that offer more technical challenges (roots, rocks, drops). The Wheeler Trail and portions of the Colorado Trail offer the challenging combination of high elevation, technical terrain, and steep grades.The Breckenridge and Summit County Hiking and Biking Trail map also highlights various trails that are labeled “most difficult”. 

The Pence Miller Trail can be accessed via Mountain Thunder Drive (50 Mountain Thunder Drive), one block west of Main Street. Carter Park (300 South High Street) also offers immediate in-town access to the trail network. 

The muddy meter is an innovative sign placed at several trail access points that allows trail users to communicate with others regarding the current status of the trail. There are three settings on the muddy meter: Good, Fair and Poor. As trail users travel the trails, they are encouraged to adjust the muddy meter to the current trail condition, thereby educating other trail users in real time regarding local trail conditions. 

The Hiking and Biking Trail map of the Breckenridge area is available free online or a waterproof, hard copy can be purchased at the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 South Main Street) and local outdoor retail stores. 

Within Town limits, dogs are required to be leashed. Outside of Town limits, dogs may be under voice command, with the exception of the recpath, where dogs are required to be leashed. Dogs are prohibited in select areas within Town (Cucumber Gulch Preserve, Kingdom Park, Riverwalk Lawn, and the golf course). More information on dog uses can be found in the dog-specific Town brochure. 

Both area federally-designated wilderness areas (Ptarmigan Ridge and Eagle’s Nest) exclude all bikes. Most of the Town and Summit County trails in the system are open to both bikers and hikers. A few trails (Iowa Hill, B&B Spur and Columbine) are not recommended for bikes due to staircases or other barriers on the trails. Spruce Creek Trail / Mohawk Lakes and the high altitude Wheeler Trail, although technically open to bicycles, see very limited bicycle use. Please, be courteous and share the trails! 

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and equestrians. Descending cyclists should also yield to all uphill traffic. This approach is consistent with the International Mountain Bicyclists Association (IMBA) Rules of the Trail. Signs have been installed on some popular local trails promoting trail etiquette. Please, be courteous and share the trails! 

The Town of Breckenridge has a six-person seasonal trail crew and Summit County Government has a two-person seasonal trail crew. Together, they manage much of the trail system. The U.S. Forest Service also has a crew for the National Forest system routes. Volunteers greatly assist all land managers with trail construction and maintenance. Local volunteer opportunities can be found through the Friends of Breckenridge Trails, Summit County Open Space and Trails, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, Summit Fat Tire Society, and Summit County Off Road Riders, among others. 

Land ownership beneath the trails varies widely, but includes National Forest, public open space, and private property. The Town and Summit County Government have acquired over 4,500 acres of open space lands through their open space programs since 1996. Many trail easements have also been dedicated, allowing public trail access to private lands. Please stay on designated system trails to avoid trespassing. 

Berms are used on a limited number of multi-use trails to prevent trail damage and manage trail user speeds. Berms are elevated, in-sloped turns that allow hikers, runners and cyclists to carry momentum through corners rather than stop and navigate each turn on a descent. Berms require less maintenance than a classic switchback trail design because cyclists do not have to aggressively brake or stop above the turn. When appropriately designed, all trail users (hikers, runners, mountain bikes) can maintain a more consistent speed on a turn. Berms exist on several local trails (Barney Flow, Carter Park, Slalom, V3, Sidedoor and Aspen Alley) where a descent and soil types dictate their use.